Some had predicted that the video game industry would be less affected by the economic crisis than other industries, but it seems even the gaming world is not recession-proof. A week after EA made big cuts, laying off 600 employees, another developer is following suit.

This time it was THQ tightening its belt. However, unlike EA, THQ decided to do so by actually shutting down five company owned studios.

In a conversation with Gamespot.com, a spokesman for THQ confirmed the closings of Paradigm, Mass Media, Helixe, Locomotive Games, and Sandblast.

All five of which will be ceasing operation as of today. The layoffs continued beyond those five studios though, as both Rainbow Studios and Juice Games saw cuts. THQ did not say how many employees were cut from the individual studios, but said both studios together released 20 employees.

The studios that were shut down have been credited in the development of games such as Stuntman: Ignition(Paradigm), Pilot Wings 64 (Paradigm), Full Spectrum Warrior (Mass Media), Jet Moto 3 (Locomotive games), and Destroy All Humans! Path of Furon (Sandblast).

THQ did not comment on whether or not the games currently in development by these companies will be canceled.

This seems to be a growing trend in the industry, and this might be a sign of things to come for other companies. Keep your web browsers pointed here as we will continue to report on the information as it happens.